5 Tips for Home Owners

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

If you love your home, take steps to proactively protect it.

Your home is likely the largest asset you will ever own. So what are a few things that you can do to ensure that your investment is protected? We are glad you asked! Here are a few tips from your local SERVPRO professionals right here in Grand Rapids, MI.

Know where your main water valve is located

It is incredible how many people think that they can shut the water off to the entire house by closing the valve located under the sink in the kitchen or behind the toilet. These are not the only water valves in the house. In fact, they are only meant to cut water supply to that specific unit. Look for the water meter in your home. There should be a valve located next to that water meter; that is the valve you want to tag as the primary shut-off point. Make certain that each member of the family knows what this is and where it is located. Properly shutting the water down quickly can save you a lot of money and spare your home from a lot of damage. If you do need water damage restoration, your team at SERVPRO of South and Northwest Grand Rapids can be there quickly and get your home on the road to recovery in a flash.

Inspect your home

At the time of purchase, many people choose to have the home inspected. This is a good precaution to take, but what about years down the road? Keep an eye on your appliances and the integrity of the general structure of your home; especially areas that grant some sort of access to the outside. If you are not sure what to look for to determine the current areas that could pose an issue in the future, hire an inspector to evaluate your home. Licensed home inspectors are a knowledgeable resource that could help you prevent an expensive repair down the road.

Change your locks

This tip applies mostly to those who have recently purchased a home. It is quite standard for the previous home owner to leave a couple of sets of keys on the counter, which is great. However, those keys are usually the sets that the homeowner utilized, but what about family and friends that may have house sat on occasion? There is no telling how many copies of that key are floating around the neighborhood.  If there is a keyless entry system set up for your home or the garage be sure to clear the current code and update it.

Emergency Contact List

Working with a person or company you trust is SO important. Especially if you are working with a service provider such as a local plumber, electrician, or restoration partner that would likely need access to your home for a period of time. Having a list of those trusted contacts will empower the entire household to be proactive when a situation occurs. Making the emergency list easily accessible could also significantly reduce response time and limit the damage or danger of an unexpected event.

Proper Insurances

This is a two for one!

Home insurance - As your most valuable asset, you want to be sure that it is properly insured with a local home insurance agent.  Your local agent will have a good idea of what costs are involved when it comes to rebuilding a structure and can advise you on your policy limits accordingly. In addition to risks involving physical repairs, your agent can advise you on what type of liability coverage should accompany that homeowners policy. Lastly, be sure to elect to have sewer and drain coverage included on your policy. SERVPRO of South and Northwest Grand Rapids has helped countless households recover from water damage that happened as a result of sewer and drain backup.

Life Insurance - Most families do not have enough cash in their back pocket to pay off their home if the primary bread winner were to pass unexpectedly. Life insurance is commonly overlooked by younger adults because they do not feel a sense of urgency and often do not have hefty financial obligations depending upon them. However, as a homeowner, a lot rides on the income and expertise you provide to maintaining the structure and financial well-being of any dependents. Knowing what type of life insurance policy to purchase and how much coverage is appropriate is something that a local life insurance expert can talk though with you. Consultations are typically free and you will have a better understanding of your options.

As a homeowner, you likely have some of these measures in place, but we hope that you were able to glean a valuable nugget of information that will set you up for long term success. If you have any questions involving fire, water, or mold, please give us a call at 616-662-9700. SERVPRO of South and Northwest Grand Rapids is here for you 24/7/365.